Bracket for installation of a fire protection sprinkler

ABSTRACT

A support bracket for use in installing a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building. The support bracket includes a support beam and a center bracket. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening to receive a sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly, including a closure member having a first end rotatably connected to the body, and a second end having a handle. The closure assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the closure assembly presses the sprinkler fitting against one of the body and the support beam, thereby urging the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam. In addition, the closure assembly includes a lock that engages with the closure assembly when the closure member moves from the open position to the closed position, and that prevents the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a divisional application of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/313,843, filed Nov. 23, 2016, which is a U.S.national stage application of International Patent Application No.PCT/US2015/033016, filed May 28, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/003,930, filed May 28, 2014, eachof which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fire protectionsprinklers and related equipment, and, more particularly, relates to abracket that can be used in installing, for example, a flexible fireprotection sprinkler, and to a method of installing such a supportbracket.

Description of Related Art

Fire protection sprinklers are used to protect many different kinds ofoccupancies against the risk of fire, including commercialestablishments, storage facilities, office buildings, public buildings,large and small apartment buildings, and even single residencebuildings. Many of these buildings have what are sometimes termed a“false ceiling”, or a second, visible ceiling below a main ceiling. Thesecond visible ceiling may itself be fairly strong structurally, or itmay be relatively lightweight, e.g., to allow for easy updating of thesecond visible ceiling using esthetically pleasing tiles, or the like,that can be quickly and cheaply replaced if damaged or simply outmoded.Fire protection sprinklers must be located below the second visibleceiling to disperse water, and, therefore, cannot simply be mounted inthe main ceiling. That is, the fire protection sprinklers must bepositioned at or near the second visible ceiling, and must be able todeliver water directly into a room if activated.

Because pipes that supply water to the fire protection sprinklers may beinstalled in the main ceiling, fluid conduits are required between themain ceiling and the second visible ceiling to reach the fire protectionsprinklers. Also, if holes are cut in the tiles, or other ceilingmaterials that make up the second visible ceiling, in advance (i.e.,prior to installation of the second visible ceiling) to accommodate thefire protection sprinklers, an installer of the fire protectionsprinklers must find a way to locate the fire protection sprinklerswithin the holes. Alternatively, of course, the process of cutting theholes in the tiles, or other ceiling materials, may be performed at thetime of installation of the fire protection sprinklers to be sure thatthe holes are provided at exactly the right locations in the tiles, orother ceiling materials. Either approach requires relatively more timeand effort on the part of the installer, and, therefore, is relativelymore expensive.

Additionally, if the tenants of an occupancy change, the required layoutof the walls and the ceiling of the occupancy, or the desired appearanceof the ceiling, may change, and, in some cases, relocation of the fireprotection sprinklers is needed to maintain proper location of the fireprotection sprinklers with respect to the walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, my invention is directed to a support bracket for use inthe installation of fire protection sprinklers, e.g., in a building witha suspended ceiling (a false ceiling typically having relatively lowstrength, and suspended from the building structure by, for example, acable). A sprinkler fitting is secured in place by the support bracket,and the support bracket itself is adjustable to permit the fireprotection sprinkler to be located at a desired position. The supportbracket of my invention enables a builder to use inexpensive, flexibletubing as the fluid conduit to supply fluid to the fire protectionsprinkler that can be installed quickly, and that requires less skilledlabor, time, and costs.

In one embodiment, a support bracket is provided for use in installing asprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building having aceiling that includes a structure. The support bracket includes asupport beam configured to extend over a space within the structure ofthe ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at a first end of thesupport beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to thestructure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supported by the supportbeam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinklerfitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening toreceive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assemblyincluding a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected tothe body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure memberrotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and aclosed position. When the closure member is in the closed position andthe portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of thebody, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fittingagainst at least one of the body and the support beam and urges thecenter bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracketstationary relative to the support beam. In addition, the closureassembly has a lock positioned to engage the closure assembly when theclosure member moves in a direction from the open position toward theclosed position, and to engage the closure assembly to prevent theclosure member from returning from the closed position to the openposition.

In another embodiment, an installation apparatus is provided for use ininstalling a fire prevention sprinkler fitting for a fire protectionsprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure. Theinstallation apparatus includes a flexible conduit configured to connectto a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supply conduit in the building.The installation apparatus also includes a support bracket having asupport beam configured to extend over a space within the structure ofthe ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at a first end of thesupport beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to thestructure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supported by the supportbeam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinklerfitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening toreceive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assemblyincluding a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected tothe body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure memberrotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and aclosed position. When the closure member is in the closed position andthe portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of thebody, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fittingagainst at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges thecenter bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracketstationary relative to the support beam. The center bracket also has alock positioned to engage the closure assembly when the closure membermoves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position,and to engage the closure assembly to prevent the closure member fromreturning from the closed position to the open position.

In another embodiment, a method of installing a fire protectionsprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure isprovided. The method includes the steps of providing a flexible conduitconfigured to connect to a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supplyconduit in the building, and providing a support bracket. The supportbracket includes a support beam configured to extend over a space withinthe structure of the ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at afirst end of the support beam, and configured to attach the supportbracket to the structure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supportedby the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of thesprinkler fitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an openingto receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assemblyincluding a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected tothe body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure memberrotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and aclosed position. When the closure member is in the closed position andthe portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of thebody, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fittingagainst at least one of the body and the support beam and urges thecenter bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracketstationary relative to the support beam. The center bracket also has alock positioned to engage the closure assembly when the closure membermoves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position,and to engage the closure assembly to prevent the closure member fromreturning from the closed position to the open position. The method alsoincludes the steps of securing the support bracket in position over thespace within the structure of the ceiling, connecting the flexibleconduit to an inlet end of the sprinkler fitting, and positioning thesprinkler fitting in the opening of the body of the center bracket. Inaddition, the method includes the step of moving the closure member fromthe open position to the closed position, thereby securing the sprinklerfitting in the opening in the body of the center bracket, securing thecenter bracket in a position on the support beam, and locking theclosure member in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an embodiment of the support bracket anda flexible fire protection sprinkler in accordance with the invention,and FIG. 1B is a detail cross-sectional view of a portion of theflexible fire protection sprinkler.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a front view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of an end bracket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of an end bracket according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a body portion of a center bracket of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the body portion of the center bracket of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a sheet of material to be formed into the bodyportion of the center bracket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a side view and a top view, respectively, of aclosure member or a handle of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a lever or a hook of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1A.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a spring used to bias the lever shown in FIG.12.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of a lock member of the center bracket ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of a corrugated core of theflexible conduit.

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of an 0-ring that is used with afitting, and FIG. 18 is an end view of the 0-ring shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of an end pipe that is part ofthe fitting, and FIG. 20 is an end view of the end pipe shown in FIG.19.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of an insulation ring that isused with the fitting, and FIG. 22 is an end view of the insulation ringshown in FIG. 21.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are a partial cross-sectional side view and an end view,respectively, of a sprinkler fitting that can be used with the supportbracket according to the embodiments described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A shows a support bracket 300 according to one embodiment that canbe used to install a system of fire protection sprinklers. In thisembodiment, water is to be supplied to a fire protection sprinkler (notshown) by means of a flexible conduit 100. The fire protection sprinklercan be mounted at a lower end 200 a of a sprinkler fitting 200 that maybe, for example, an adapter that is secured to the flexible conduit 100,and the sprinkler fitting 200 is supported and held at a desiredposition by the support bracket 300. The support bracket 300 has acenter bracket 310 that secures and supports the sprinkler fitting 200.The center bracket 310 is supported by a support beam or a support bar320 that extends over (i.e., above) a room in which the support bracket300 is installed, and, more specifically, extends over a false ceiling.The support bar 320 is secured to the ceiling or the building structureon at least one end by an end bracket 330. In this embodiment, the falseceiling is a suspended ceiling, constructed as a grid of T-bars 340 thatare suspended, for example, by cables (not shown) from a buildingstructure, with the grid supporting ceiling tiles of a desired kind, andthe support bar 320 being provided with two end brackets 330, one ateach end of the support bar 320. Of course, as an alternative to T-bars,hat channels or rails may be used. Each end bracket 330 is located(i.e., positioned) on the grid of T-bars 340 by engaging with one T-bar340. As described below, the end brackets 330 may be located along thelength of the support bar 320 at the locations needed, with the supportbar 320 being cut to an appropriate length based on the dimensions ofthe grid of T-bars 340. The attachment of the end brackets 330 to thesupport bar 320 may be done in a permanent way, or, alternatively, thelocation of the end brackets 330 along the length of the support bar 320may be adjustable if desired, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In this embodiment, the support bar 320 is made of a length of bar stockhaving a square cross section. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, thesupport bar 320 crosses (i.e., spans) a space between two parallelT-bars 340, and is supported on the two T-bars 340 by the end brackets330. The end brackets 330 in this embodiment are stamped metal plates.The end brackets 330, however, may be made of other materials, ifdesired, and may be made either of a single piece of material each, orof multiple pieces that are bonded together, if preferred.

In this embodiment, each end bracket 330, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,comprises an upper body 3301, a lower body 3302, also referred to hereinas a grip, and a connecting portion 3310, or a connecting body, joiningthe upper body 3301 and the grip 3302. In this embodiment, when the endbracket 330 is manufactured of a single piece of a metal plate, theupper body 3301 has a first side 3304 and a second side 3305 that faceeach other, and each of the first side 3304 and the second side 3305 hasa square opening 3306 to receive the support bar 320. The first side3304 and the second side 3305 are joined to each other by at least athird side 3307 that, in this embodiment, is actually a top side of theupper body 3301. The upper body 3301 also includes a fourth side 3308that is a bottom side. Alternatively, the top side, the bottom side, orboth the top side and the bottom side of the upper body 3301 may be leftopen, and a front side (not shown) and a back side (not shown) of theupper body 3301 may be provided to connect the first side 3304 and thesecond side 3305 that have the square openings 3306. The end bracket 330engages with and is secured to the support bar 320 when ends of thesupport bar 320 are received in the square openings 3306 on the firstside 3304 and the second side 3305, and a screw 3309, e.g., a wing screwor other fastener, is inserted through a hole in the fourth side 3308,holes in the support bar 320, and a hole in the third side 3307, asshown in FIGS. 1A and 4. By this arrangement, the third side 3307 andthe fourth side 3308 of the upper body 3301 are secured to the supportbar 320, as shown in FIG. 1A. The location of the screw 3309 may bevaried, and, in the embodiment in which the upper body 3301 has foursides, including a front side and a back side, and does not have a topside or a bottom side, the screw 3309 may be secured in holes providedin the first side 3304 and the second side 3305 of the upper body 3301.

The connecting portion 3310 may be, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a simplestrip of metal or a length of a plate, preferably integral with thematerial that forms the upper body 3301 and the grip 3302.

The grip 3302 of the end bracket 330 has at least one leg 3311 extendingdown from the connecting portion 3310 to extend beside the T-bar 340. Inthis embodiment, three legs, including a first leg 3311, a second leg3312, and a third leg 3313, are provided, with the first leg 3311 andthe third leg 3313 being located generally between the T-bar 340 and thecenter bracket 310 (i.e., the first leg 3311 and the third leg 3313 areinboard with respect to the T-bar 340), and the T-bar 340 being locatedbetween the second leg 3312 and the center bracket 310 (i.e., the secondleg 3312 is outboard with respect to the T-bar 340), as shown in FIG.1A. In this embodiment, each of the first leg 3311 and the third leg3313 has a lowermost portion 3314 that is bent toward the T-bar 340 atan angle (as shown, with respect to the first leg 3311, in FIG. 4). Atleast one of the first leg 3311 and the third leg 3313 has an aperture3321 to receive a nail 3322 for securing the grip 3302 to the T-bar 340.Alternatively, a screw or another device may be used instead of the nail3322. In this embodiment, the second leg 3312 is between the first leg3311 and the third leg 3313, as shown in FIG. 3, and a combined width(along a dimension that is parallel to the T-bar 340) of the first leg3311 and the second leg 3312 is equal to about one-half of a width ofthe third leg 3313. In other words, the width of the third leg 3313 maybe equal to a sum of the width of the first leg 3311, the width of thesecond leg 3312, and any spaces between the first leg 3311 and thesecond leg 3312. More specifically, the width of the third leg 3313 maybe about 1.4 to about 2.0 times the sum of the width of the first leg3311, the width of the second leg 3312, and any spaces between the firstleg 3311 and the second leg 3312.

In addition, the heights (as measured along a dimension that is parallelto the connecting portion 3310 and that is perpendicular to both thesupport bar 320 and the T-bar 340) of each of the first leg 3311, thesecond leg 3312, and the third leg 3313 may be equal to each other.Alternatively, a height of one of the first leg 3311, the second leg3312, and the third leg 3313 may differ from the heights of the othertwo of the first leg 3311, the second leg 3312, and the third leg 3313,or the heights of the first leg 3311, the second leg 3312, and the thirdleg 3313 may differ from each other. In a preferred embodiment, theheight of the first leg 3311 and the height of the third leg 3313, eachhaving the lowermost portion 3314 that is bent, may be greater than theheight of the second leg 3312. Other proportions, however, are alsowithin the scope of my invention.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper body3301′ does not have a bottom side, and the first side 3304′ and thesecond side 3305′, in which the openings 3306′ for the support bar 320are provided, are connected by a top side 3307′. The top side 3307′includes a hole through which a screw 3309′ is inserted, as shown inFIG. 6, to secure the end bracket 330′ to the support bar 320. Inaddition, the first side 3304′ and the second side 3305′ include a firstextension 3316 and a second extension 3315, respectively, that extenddownward from the upper body 3301′ to the grip 3302′, as shown in FIG.6, and the first extension 3316 and the second extension 3315 togetherserve as the connecting portion 3010′. As shown in FIG. 6, the firstextension 3316 on the first side 3305′ is parallel to the secondextension 3315, at least in part. The first extension 3316 includes alower end 3316 a that is bent toward the second extension 3315 toward atop of the grip portion 3302′, and a flat lower portion 3316 b that liesflat on the second extension 3315. The first extension 3316 is securedto the second extension 3315 at the flat lower portion 3316 b.

In this embodiment, the grip 3302′ of the end bracket 330′ haspreferably at least a first leg 3318, a second leg 3319, and a third leg3320 extending down from the connecting portion 3310′ to extend besidethe T-bar 340. In this embodiment, when the end bracket 330′ is mountedto the T-bar 340, the first leg 3318 and the third leg 3320 are providedto one side of the T-bar 340, and the second leg 3319 is provided to theother side of the T-bar 340. In contrast with the first embodiment, awidth of the second leg 3319 (referring again to a dimension parallel tothe T-bar 340) is roughly equal to, or slightly greater than, a combinedwidth of the first leg 3318 and the third leg 3320, and is locatedbetween the first leg 3318 and the second leg 3320, as shown in FIG. 5.In this embodiment, the second leg 3319 has a lowermost portion 3314′that is bent toward the T-bar 340 at an angle, as in the firstembodiment. At least one of the first leg 3318, the second leg 3319, andthe third leg 3320 has an aperture 3321′ to receive a nail 3322 (seeFIG. 4) for securing the grip 3302′ to the T-bar 340. The width of thesecond leg 3319 may be equal to a sum of the width of the first leg3318, the width of the third leg 3320, and any spaces between the secondleg 3319 and either one of the first leg 3318 and the third leg 3320.More specifically, the width of the second leg 3319 may be about 1.4 toabout 2.0 times the sum of the width of the first leg 3318, the width ofthe third leg 3320, and any spaces between the second leg 3319 andeither one of the first leg 3318 and the third leg 3320.

In addition, the heights (as measured along a dimension that is parallelto the connecting portion 3310′ and that is perpendicular to both thesupport bar 320 and the T-bar 340) of each of the first leg 3318, thesecond leg 3319, and the third leg 3320 may be equal to each other.Alternatively, a height of one of the first leg 3318, the second leg3319, and the third leg 3320 may differ from the heights of the othertwo of the first leg 3318, the second leg 3319, and the third leg 3320,or the heights of the first leg 3318, the second leg 3319, and the thirdleg 3320 may differ from each other. In a preferred embodiment, theheight of the second leg 3319 having the lowermost portion 3314′ that isbent may be greater than the height of the first leg 3318 and the heightof the third leg 3320. Other proportions, however, are also within thescope of my invention.

The exact design of the grip 3202/3202′ may be varied without departingfrom the broad scope my invention, but it is preferred to have one ofthe structures shown in FIGS. 3-6, as they are simple, provide a secureattachment to the T-bar 340, and can be manufactured easily. In bothembodiments, the end brackets 330/330′ may be provided with holes 3323(e.g., in the connecting portions 3310/3310′) by means of which the endbrackets 330/330′ may be nailed or screwed to beams or similar supportelements, where such beams are used in the building, and are made of amaterial that admits of the use of nails or screws.

The center bracket 310, shown in FIG. 2, has a main body 3101 and aclosure assembly 3102. The main body 3101 defines an opening 3103 toreceive the sprinkler fitting 200 for a fire protection sprinkler, andthe closure assembly 3102 includes a closure member 3104, or a handle,that has a first end 3104 a rotatably connected to the main body 3101and a second end 3104 b that is not connected to the main body 3103. Thehandle 3104 can be rotated between a first position (shown in FIG. 2)(i.e. an open position), and a second position, in which the sprinklerfitting 200 is received in the opening 3103 and is secured by theclosure assembly 3102 (shown in FIG. 1A) (i.e., a closed position). Whenthe handle 3104 is in the closed position, the handle 3104 presses thesprinkler fitting 200 against the main body 3101 and the support bar 320via a lever 3107, described below.

In this embodiment, the center bracket 310 is constructed to be able toslide along the support beam 320, and to assist an installer in locatingthe center bracket 310 correctly. The support beam 320 preferably hasmarkers, such as indentations or laser markings, at predeterminedlengths (for example, every 6 inches or every 152.4 mm) from the endbrackets 330/330′. When the handle 3104 is in the closed position, thehandle 3104 urges the center bracket 310 against the support bar 320,producing friction that tends to maintain the center bracket 310stationary relative to the support bar 320.

The center bracket 310 also has a lock assembly to lock the handle 3104in the closed position as described below.

In this embodiment, the main body 3101 of the center bracket 310 is madeof a sheet of material, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The sheet of material,being shaped as shown in FIG. 9, is then bent at each of the lineslabeled “B”, forming the sheet of material into a box-like form, asshown in a side view in FIG. 7, and in an end view in FIG. 8. The shapeof the main body 3101 defines the opening 3103 into which the sprinklerfitting 200 is received and secured.

The structure, arrangement, and operation of the other components of theclosure assembly are shown and described with reference to FIGS. 10 to15.

The handle 3104 is mounted to the main body 3101 by a first pin 3106,about which the handle 3104 can rotate relative to the main body 3101.As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 3104 does not extend straight from thefirst pin 3106, but is spaced from the first pin 3106 by the shape ofthe first end 3104 a of the handle 3104. The first end 3104 a of thehandle nearest to the first pin 3106 is shaped to cooperate with othercomponents in a manner described below.

The closure assembly 3102 also includes a lever 3107, or a hook, shownin FIG. 12, that is mounted to the main body 3101 by a second pin 3108,about which the lever 3107 can rotate relative to the main body 3101. Anaxis of rotation of the handle 3104 is parallel to an axis of rotationof the lever 3107.

A spring 3109 serves as a lock and as a lock release, and includes alooped end 3109 a, a bent portion 3109 b, and a free end 3109 c, asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15, with the looped end 3109 a and the free end3109 c extending from a slot 3114 provided in an upper surface of themain body 3101 of the center bracket 310, near the first pin 3106, asshown in FIGS. 1A and 2. That is, the spring 3109 is formed of one pieceof metal that is bent somewhat like a hairpin. The bent portion 3109 bis received in a slot 3115 (shown in FIG. 9) provided in a lower surfaceof the main body 3101 of the center bracket 310. The free end 3109 c isbent and inserted into the slot 3114 to hold the spring 3109 in place inthe main body 3101 of the center bracket 310, and the looped end 3109 ais formed into a ring 3133 to permit the spring 3109 to be grasped andoperated, as described below.

A third pin 3116, shown in FIG. 2, anchors a second spring 3128 thatbiases the lever 3107 to rotate toward the handle 3104 (that is,counterclockwise in FIG. 2). The handle 3104 and the lever 3107 arepositioned near each other such that rotation of the handle 3104 towardthe closed position causes the first end 3104 a of the handle 3104 tocontact and to press the lever 3107 toward the opening 3103 in which thesprinkler fitting 200 is received. A ring or a roller 3110 is mounted onan axis 3111 in the first end 3104 a of the handle 3104, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 10, and enables the handle 3104 to apply a uniform force onthe lever 3107 as the handle 3104 is moved from the open position to theclosed position, pressing the lever 3107 smoothly into the closedposition. As the handle 3104 is closed, the lever 3107 engages thesprinkler fitting 200 and presses the sprinkler fitting 200 against aback surface of the opening 3103, applying a force against the supportbar 320 so as to prevent movement of the center bracket 310 along thesupport bar 320 (in a case in which the center bracket 310 is otherwisefree to move along the support bar 320).

It will be understood that the center bracket 310 can slide along thesupport bar 320, and that closing the closure assembly 3102 on thesprinkler fitting 200 in the center bracket 310 will press the sprinklerfitting 200 against the support bar 320 in such a manner as to preventsuch sliding. In use, a builder may attach the support bracket 300 tothe T-bars 340 at the correct location, and secure the support bracket300 in place using screws or other fasteners placed in the grips 3302 ofthe end brackets 330. The sprinkler fitting 200 may be placed in thecenter bracket 310, and the center bracket 310 is slid to position thesprinkler fitting 200 as needed. The exact vertical location of thesprinkler fitting 200 in the center bracket 310 may also be adjusted.When the sprinkler fitting 200 is positioned as desired, the closureassembly 3102 is operated, moving the handle 3104 from the open positionto the closed position, thereby pressing the sprinkler fitting 200against the center bracket 310 and maintaining the center bracket 310 atthat position relative to the support bar 320.

Rotating the handle 3104 completely into the closed position causes thefirst end 3104 a of the handle to contact the spring 3109. In thisembodiment, the first end 3104 a of the handle 3104 includes a notch3112 (see FIG. 10) to engage and to receive the spring 3109 when thehandle 3104 is closed, and the spring 3109, urged into the notch 3112 byits resilience, is retained in the notch 3112 and prevents furtherrotation of the handle 3104 in either direction. The handle 3104 in theclosed position thus holds the lever 3107 in position, pressing thesprinkler fitting 200 and holding the sprinkler fitting 200 in place,and maintaining the center bracket 310 stationary with respect to thesupport bar 320. It will be appreciated that this provides an extremelysimple and quick way to install the support bracket 300, involving aminimum of specialized tools and requiring no plumbing to be done toinstall the fire protection sprinkler and the sprinkler fitting 200.(Plumbing, of course, is required to install the fluid conduit to supplywater to the fire protection sprinklers.)

Unlocking the closure assembly 3102 may be done by pressing the ring3113 of the spring 3109 to move the spring 3109 out of the notch 3112,allowing the handle 3104 to move back toward the open position. This canbe done if the sprinkler fitting 200 is positioned incorrectly at first,or if the fire protection sprinkler must be updated or replaced.Alternative structures may be provided to serve as a lock in place ofthe spring 3109, including, for example, a rotatable column having atooth or a key thereon to engage and to hold a corresponding opening inthe handle 3104, and a tab may be provided outside of the center bracket310 to permit manual rotation of the rotatable column from an openposition to a closed position (and vice versa if needed).

An assembly including the sprinkler fitting 200 and the support bracket300 may be provided together with the flexible conduit 100. An exampleof a suitable flexible conduit 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. FIGS. 16 to 22illustrate the components of that flexible conduit 100 in greaterdetail. The flexible conduit 100 may comprise a corrugated core 101,such as bellows tubing, that is surrounded by a metallic braid 102 (FIG.1A). An inlet end 100 a of the flexible conduit 100 has an inlet fitting108 to be secured to a nipple 106 mounted on the fluid conduit. Anoutlet end 100 b of the corrugated core 101 has an outlet fitting 109 tobe connected to the sprinkler fitting 200. Each of the inlet fitting 108and the outlet fitting 109 is formed of an end pipe 103 that is securedto the corrugated core 101 with an insulation ring 104, an O-ring 107,and a nut 105, as shown in FIG. 1B. The nut 105 is internally threaded,so that the inlet end 100 a of the flexible conduit 100 can be threadedonto the nipple 106, and the outlet end 100 b of the flexible conduit100 can be threaded onto the sprinkler fitting 200.

The sprinkler fitting 200, shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, includes an inletend 2001 that is externally threaded to be received in the nut 105 ofthe outlet fitting 109 at the outlet end 100 b of the flexible conduit100, and has an outlet end 2005 having a relatively smaller internaldiameter than that of the inlet end 2001. The outlet end 2005 isinternally threaded to receive a fire protection sprinkler (not shown).The sprinkler fitting 200 may be straight, as shown in FIG. 23, or,optionally, may be formed with an elbow. Preferably, an exterior surfaceof the sprinkler fitting 200 is provided with flats 2002 spaced about acircumference, and with grooving 2003 on the flats 2002. The exteriorsurface of the sprinkler fitting 200 may also have curved surfaces 2004,or both flats 2002 and curved surfaces 2004, to facilitate gripping withan installation tool.

Preferably, a disposable tie (not illustrated) is provided, for example,at the inlet end 100 a of the flexible conduit 100, to be used in easilyand conveniently securing the outlet end 100 b of the flexible conduit100 for tests to be performed at installation. The tie is preferablyformed of a material that can easily be cut, to permit the installer torelease the lower end 100 b of the flexible conduit 100 quickly andeasily upon completion of the testing.

In preferred embodiments, a length of the flexible conduit 100 may be 24inches (60.96 cm), 31 inches (78.74 cm), 40 inches (101.6 cm), 48 inches(121.92 cm), 60 inches (152.4 cm), or 72 inches (182.88 cm). Ifregulations permit, however, the length of the flexible conduit 100 maybe different from these values. Also, the inlet end 2001 and the outletend 2005 of the sprinkler fitting 200 may have inner diameters,respectively, of 1 inch (25.4 mm) and 0.5 inch (12.7 mm), or of 1 inch(25.46 mm) and 0.75 inch (19.05 mm).

While the present invention has been described with respect to what are,at present, considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A support bracket for use in installing a sprinkler fittingfor a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling thatincludes a structure, the support bracket comprising: (A) a support beamconfigured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling;(B) at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the supportbeam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure ofthe ceiling, the at least one end bracket comprising: (a) an upper body;(b) a lower grip including: (i) a first leg; (ii) a second leg that isadjacent to the first leg; and (iii) a third leg that is adjacent to thesecond leg, the second leg being provided between the first leg and thesecond leg, wherein a width of the second leg is roughly equal to orgreater than a combined width of the first leg and the third leg; and(c) a connecting portion that joins the upper body and the lower grip;and (C) a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configuredto receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, the centerbracket including: (a) a body that defines an opening to receive theportion of the sprinkler fitting; (b) a closure assembly including: (i)a first pin mounted in the body and having a first pin axis; (ii) aclosure member having a first end rotatably connected to the body by thefirst pin, and a second end that includes a handle, the closure memberbeing rotatable about the first pin axis relative to the body, and beingmovable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, whenthe closure member is in the closed position and the portion of thesprinkler fitting is received in the opening of the body, the closureassembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at leastone of the body and the support beam and urges the center bracketagainst the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationaryrelative to the support beam; (iii) a second pin mounted in the body ata distance from the first pin, the second pin having a second pin axis;and (iv) a lever rotatably connected to the body by the second pin, andpositioned relative to the closure member such that, when the closuremember moves from the open position to the closed position, the closuremember contacts and rotates the lever to cause the lever to press theportion of the sprinkler fitting against the at least one of the bodyand the support beam; and (c) a lock inserted into the body, spaced fromthe first pin and the second pin, and configured to engage the closuremember when the closure member moves in a direction from the openposition toward the closed position, and to engage the closure member toprevent the closure member from returning from the closed position tothe open position.
 2. The support bracket according to claim 1, whereinthe closure assembly further includes (v) a spring mounted to the secondpin, and configured to urge the lever against such rotation when theclosure member moves from the open position to the closed position. 3.The support bracket according to claim 2, wherein the first end of theclosure member has a notch, and, when the closure member is in theclosed position, the notch engages with the lock to prevent substantialrelative movement of the closure member relative to the lock.
 4. Thesupport bracket according to claim 3, wherein the notch of the closuremember has a shape to mate with a shape of the lock.
 5. The supportbracket according to claim 3, wherein the notch of the closure memberhas a concavity to receive the lock upon engaging with the lock.
 6. Thesupport bracket according to claim 3, wherein the lock comprises a postthat extends along a first direction substantially parallel to the firstpin axis and the second pin axis, and a surface of the closure memberhas a shape to receive the post.
 7. The support bracket according toclaim 6, wherein the lock further comprises a spring that urges the postin a direction generally toward the first pin axis, and the surface ofthe closure member receives the post.
 8. The support bracket accordingto claim 6, wherein the post is mounted on the body to be adjustablealong a lock axis relative to the body, the lock axis beingperpendicular to the first pin axis and to the second pin axis, andwherein, when the post moves in one direction along the lock axis, thepost is secured in the surface of the closure member, and, when the postmoves in another direction that is opposite to the one direction, theclosure member is released from engagement with the post.
 9. The supportbracket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one end bracketincludes two end brackets, one end bracket being provided at the firstend of the support beam, and the other end bracket being provided at anopposite end to the first end, both end brackets being configured toattach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling.
 10. Thesupport bracket according to claim 1, wherein the upper body comprisesat least a first side and a second side, each of the first side and thesecond side: (i) having an opening configured to receive the supportbeam; and (ii) being secured to the support beam.
 11. The supportbracket according to claim 10, wherein the upper body further comprisesat least a third side that joins the first side and the second side. 12.The support bracket according to claim 1, wherein the second leg of thelower grip is an inboard leg that extends down from the connecting bodyto extend beside the structure of the ceiling, and is positioned betweenthe structure of the ceiling and the center bracket, and the first legand the third leg of the lower grip are outboard legs that extend downfrom the connecting body to extend beside the structure of the ceiling,the structure of the ceiling being positioned between the outboard legsand the center bracket.
 13. The support bracket according to claim 12,wherein the inboard leg has an aperture to receive a device for securingthe lower grip to the structure of the ceiling.
 14. The support bracketaccording to claim 13, wherein the device for securing the lower grip tothe structure of the ceiling is one of (a) a nail, and (b) a screw. 15.An installation apparatus for use in installing a fire protectionsprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure, theinstallation apparatus comprising: (A) a flexible conduit configured toconnect to a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supply conduit in thebuilding; and (B) a support bracket including: (a) a support beamconfigured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling;(b) at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the supportbeam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure ofthe ceiling, the at least one end bracket comprising: (i) an upper body;(ii) a lower grip including: (1) a first leg; (2) a second leg that isadjacent to the first leg; and (3) a third leg that is adjacent to thesecond leg, the second leg being provided between the first leg and thesecond leg, wherein a width of the second leg is roughly equal to orgreater than a combined width of the first leg and the third leg; and(iii) a connecting portion that joins the upper body and the lower grip;and (c) a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configuredto receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, the centerbracket having: (i) a body that defines an opening to receive theportion of the sprinkler fitting; (ii) a closure assembly including: (1)a first pin mounted in the body and having a first pin axis; (2) aclosure member having a first end rotatably connected to the body by thefirst pin, and a second end that includes a handle, the closure memberbeing rotatable about the first pin axis relative to the body, and beingmovable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, whenthe closure member is in the closed position and the portion of thesprinkler fitting is received in the opening of the body, the closureassembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at leastone of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracketagainst the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationaryrelative to the support beam; (3) a second pin mounted in the body at adistance from the first pin, the second pin having a second pin axis;and (4) a lever rotatably connected to the body by the second pin, andpositioned relative to the closure member such that, when the closuremember moves from the open position to the closed position, the closuremember contacts and rotates the lever to cause the lever to press theportion of the sprinkler fitting against the at least one of the bodyand the support beam; and (iii) a lock inserted into the body, spacedfrom the first pin and the second pin, and configured to engage theclosure member when the closure member moves in a direction from theopen position toward the closed position, and to engage the closuremember to prevent the closure member from returning from the closedposition to the open position.
 16. The installation apparatus accordingto claim 15, wherein the flexible conduit comprises: (a) bellows tubing;and (b) braiding that at least partially surrounds the bellows tubing.17. The installation apparatus according to claim 15, furthercomprising: (C) the sprinkler fitting that is configured to connect tothe flexible conduit and to the fire protection sprinkler.
 18. Theinstallation apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the closureassembly further includes (5) a spring mounted to the second pin, andconfigured to urge the lever against such rotation when the closuremember moves from the open position to the closed position.
 19. Theinstallation apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first end ofthe closure member has a notch, and, when the closure member is in theclosed position, the notch engages with the lock to prevent substantialrelative movement of the closure member relative to the lock.
 20. Theinstallation apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the notch of theclosure member has a shape to mate with a shape of the lock.
 21. Theinstallation apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the notch of theclosure member has a concavity to receive the lock upon engaging withthe lock.
 22. The installation apparatus according to claim 19, whereinthe lock comprises a post that extends along a first directionsubstantially parallel to the first pin axis and the second pin axis,and a surface of the closure member has a shape to receive the post. 23.The support bracket according to claim 22, wherein the lock furthercomprises a spring that urges the post in a direction generally towardthe first pin axis, and the surface of the closure member receives thepost.
 24. The support bracket according to claim 22, wherein the post ismounted on the body to be adjustable along a lock axis relative to thebody, the lock axis being perpendicular to the first pin axis and to thesecond pin axis, and wherein, when the post moves in one direction alongthe lock axis, the post is secured in the surface of the closure member,and, when the post moves in another direction that is opposite to theone direction, the closure member is released from engagement with thepost.
 25. The installation apparatus according to claim 15, wherein theat least one end bracket includes two end brackets, one end bracketbeing provided at the first end of the support beam, and the other endbracket being provided at an opposite end to the first end, both endbrackets being configured to attach the support bracket to the structureof the ceiling.
 26. The installation apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the upper body comprises at least a first side and a secondside, and each of the first side and the second side: (i) having anopening configured to receive the support beam; and (ii) being securedto the support beam.
 27. The installation apparatus according to claim26, wherein the upper body further comprises at least a third side thatjoins the first side and the second side.
 28. The installation apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the second leg of the lower grip is aninboard leg that extends down from the connecting body to extend besidethe structure of the ceiling, and is positioned between the structure ofthe ceiling and the center bracket, and the first leg and the third legof the lower grip are outboard legs that extend down from the connectingbody to extend beside the structure of the ceiling, the structure of theceiling being positioned between the outboard legs and the centerbracket.
 29. The installation apparatus according to claim 28, whereinthe inboard leg has an aperture to receive a device for securing thelower grip to the structure of the ceiling.
 30. The installationapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the device for securing thelower grip to the structure of the ceiling is one of (a) a nail, and (b)a screw.